Pilots and spectators alike are invited to be a part of the 2014 Austin Fly-In, which will be held Sept. 27 at the Austin Airport.
The event will go from around 9 a.m. until dusk and is being hosted by the Austin Lions Club and the Austin Airport Advisory Board, said Joe Dory, who is part of both organizations.
"It's going to be a lot of fun and I think everybody is looking forward to it," Dory said. "The pilots and the town always seem to enjoy it."
Airplanes are expected to come and go all day long. The event was not held last year, but in 2012 it saw around 30 planes, all single-engine aircraft, and one helicopter and attracted around 145 spectators. In the past, the event, which is in its sixth year, has seen up to 70 planes and 300 spectators.
Depending on the weather, there will be pilots' contests, fly-bys and a huge barbecue at noon with beef, corn, homemade chili beans, salad and bread. It's all you can eat for $10 a plate. The Lions Club will be selling non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages all day, Dory said.
"It's a great feed," Dory added. "The underground pit barbecue is absolutely delicious. It's a tradition that was started by Austin Lions Club member Jerry Utter. He is deceased now but we are carrying on his tradition."
Pilots usually arrive from Reno, Winnemucca, Boulder City, Carson City, Dayton, Battle Mountain, Arizona, Utah, Washington, Oregon and Idaho. Past events have seen a Lear jet out of California but Dory said he is not sure if it will be at this year's event.
There will also be a bounce house for the kids all day long starting at around 9 a.m., Dory said.
Pilots games may consist of a spot landing contest where pilots aim for a certain marked area, a short landing contest and a stuffed animal drop in which pilots see how close they can come to dropping a stuffed animal on a specified target. These will all be held in the afternoon if the weathers cooperates.
The last event raised around $3,500 for the Lions Club which uses the money to help kids, the schools and people who have poor eyesight, Dory said.
The Austin Airport now boasts a new pilot's lounge, which the event will help to showcase, Dory added. The modular building was donated last year by the school district.
Those who would like more information can call Dory at (775) 964-8001.
Contact Heather Hill at h.hill@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
